Unity in Excellence!

The Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (JJOA) Buffalo Chapter hosted the Mighty Eastern Region’s Northern Cluster Area Workday over the weekend on September 28, 2024 at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara, under the direction of Regional Director Fatimah Moody and the Regional Executive Board. As stated by RD Fatimah Moody: “Our “Black job is being a Black mom raising a Black leader.”

This year’s Regional Theme was “Unity in Excellence: Mighty in Community, Culture, and Joy!”

The Keynote Speaker for the event was Assembly woman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, (shown at right, center) Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly. She inspired and empowered our mothers from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Boston, Philadelphia, and more to become active in the voting process. She reminded us that many of our ancestors, such as Fannie Lou Hamer fought and struggled throughout history to get the voting and women’s rights we have today.

The Community Service recipient was Locust Street Art (LSA), a local non-profit which continues to nurture creativity and empower individuals to excel in the visual arts for the past 63 years. JJOA Buffalo Chapter’s very own, Teen Vice President Cierra Mitchell gave a powerful oratorical performance and won the competition for Division I, and earned the right to compete at the Eastern Region Teen Conference in March 2025 in Philadelphia.

The Buffalo Chapter, under the leadership of Chapter President Regina Harris had many workshops including topics from health to financial wellness. For the teens, workshops included sessions on self-esteem, personal development, and mental health. Middle schoolers enjoyed engaging activities focused on self-discovery and social media tips.

JJOA is thankful to its many presenters, including Buffalo’s own Latise Hairston, Daysi Ball, Derek Baker, and Carlette Bradley. They also would like to thank the sponsors of the event: Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC) and the University at Buffalo Graduate School.